, 1887-03-11
Covered With Flowers.

-
Henry Ward Beecher's house were
crowded with people. This morning at
8 o'clock a squad of police took up their
stations in front of the house. A large
number Of. floral emblems were received
before the private services commenced.
Two wreaths of white roses, lilies of the
valley, and smilax were received by Mrs.
Col. Beecher early il the morning. These
bore the cards of Ellen Terry and Henry
Irving. Mrs. s.. V. White sent a pillar of
white roses. The coffin rested in the CEN
ter of the front parlor and was surrounded
with a bank of fragrant flowers. A sweet
perfume pervaded the air and on all-sides
could be seen floral emblcms from friends
and admirers of the dead divine. The re-
mains were dressed in a suit of black
broadcloth with a frock coat, buttoned up,
and the right hand laid across the heart.
The features we're natural and there was
a smile upon the face. The long gray
hair was brushed back over the ears, the
same as he wore it when alive.
Promptly at $50 Rev. Charles II.
Hall, of the church of the Holy Trinity,
entered the house and soon after entered
the front parlor and commenced to read
the burial service from the ritual of the
Episcopal church. While the services
were in progress in the house, Co. G, of
the 18th regiment. was drawn up in front
OF the house. Only members of the fam
lily and a few intimate friends were present
during the services at the house. None
of the family were dressed in black. Mrs.
Beecher sat near the remains during the
reading of the service. and by her side sat
her sons and daughters and members of
their families. She bore up wonderfully
during the whole of the and
was quite calm. A few minutes before
the remains were carried cut of the house
the rain ceased, the clouds passed way
and the sunshine burst out bright and
clear.
At the conclusion of the services at the
house, Rev. DIR. Hall spoke for fifteen
minutes. He was very much affected.
Coming down to the speakers acquaint-
ance with Beecher, DR.. Hall spoke affec-
tionately of the strong friendship that for
years had existed between them.
The members of the family then retired
to other rooms, and the undertaken and
assistants carried the casket down the
steps and to the hearse which stood in the
rear of the 18th regiment. As soon as
the guard Of honor had taken up its posi-
ton round the hearse, the regiment broke
into a column of companies, with arm re-
versed. The procession then moved slowly
down Clark street. On arriving at the
church the casket was carried up the
Henry street aisle and placed on a dais in
front of the pulpit. The top of the casket
was then removed. exposing to view the
face of the dead. The guard of honor
took up its position and then the regi-
ment filed into the church, marched up
one aisle and passed in front of the
coffin.
As the body was borne into the church
Beethoven's burial march was played.
There will be music in the church during
the whole of the time the body lays in the
church.
All the afternoon the long line OF peo-
pie passing through the church to view
the remains continued to increase, and the
rush was so great to gain admission that
it was found necessary to increase the
force of officers around the church door.
The throng was made up of almost all
%nationalities. AS the day advanced the
lines of people extended until it reached
Fulton street; then down one side of the
next block and up the other with another
wing across the street. 1t was estimated
that nearly 10000 people passed before
the catafalque during the day. There
were so many wreaths and bouquets left
on the bier that a special place had to be
made near the platform at the foot of the
pulpit to receive them.
The will of Beecher was read this after
noon in the presence of the family. 1t is
probable that it will Lot be filed FOR pro
bate, as one of its main provisions author
ICES the family to settle among themselves
the division of what there is left. The
chief feature of it is that Mrs. Beecher is
first provided for. The contents of it will
not be known unless the will is probated,
as it is the wish of the family that no pub
LEGATION of its contents should be made.
Tonight the Beecher residence was
brilliantly lighted and everything around
the house was made as bright as possible.
Mrs. Beecher had been in her late hus
band room a great portion of the after
noon looking over his papers, 1t seems a
delight to her to be near where he spent
SO much of his time. The members of
the family were dressed in bright clothing
as though going to church on SUNDAY.
Hundreds Of people called during the
day and left cards, including Henry
George and Rev. DR.. McGlynn. The
church to night until II O'Clock was more
crowded than during the afternoon. The
line of people waiting to view the remains
extended from the church to Fulton street,
nearly three blocks. and one block down
Fulton
The TlriJmc estimates that Beochcr's